23 November 2011

fred and ginger

It's been while since I last knitted a "garment". I haven't been knitting for long, maybe three years on and off, and I'm still big on things that are flat. Simple projects that I don't have to gauge, measure or generally fret over. Rowan Kids' Zooey has reminded me why.

I liken knitting the front panels of a cardigan to learning circus skills. For starters you have to knit your basic pattern. Let's call this the unicycle-riding element. Then the pattern tells you to start shaping an arm hole (keeping your pattern correct). So we've added basic plate spinning while you're up on that unicycle. Now while you're shaping that armhole and keeping your pattern correct, you'll want to make sure you're also creating a beautiful neckline decrease. Because plate spinning on a unicycle is nothing unless you're simultaneously singing mio bambino caro. Oh, and by the way, remember that the basic pattern includes a twenty-stitch lace panel (ie this version of mio bambino caro is in Cantonese).

'Kay? Got that? Feeling fantastically clever after muddling through the left-hand panel? Well, don't get too smug because the edited essence of the next line of instructions reads: 
RIGHT FRONT - Same as left front in reverse.
Let's just pause to contemplate that for a moment... (while I head for the hills, arms waggling and tongue lolling from corner of mouth). It reminds me of a bumper sticker that I saw years ago on a beaten up old Mini in Glasgow. It said something along the lines of "Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did, backwards and in high heels".

Anyway, after some imaginative cursing and more than a little unpicking, I have all the components of Zooey ready for finishing. She's now wet blocking on the spare bed (precisely following these fabulous instructions from The Yarn Harlot). Phew.


I haven't made much reading progress this week. I have two excuses reasons. The Marriage Plot by Jefferey Eugenides is good so far, but with one pretty significant flaw (in my opinion): a lack of chapters. I don't know if this affects his writing style or my reading style more, but it definitely affects something, and it means I'm getting nowhere fast. The first section is over 100 trade paperback pages long. Blugh, can't be bothered.

Also I've been waiting until after my husband goes to bed to work on his Christmas gifts - a pair of iPhoto hardback albums. The process is totally addictive and so I've been falling into bed long after midnight all week. But I've just pressed the order button on them, and have 5 days to wait for the results... fingers crossed they come out beautifully!

Linking in with the lovely Yarn Alongers once again.

15 comments:

  1. I hate when patterns just tell you to reverse the instructions - especially when they're complicated patterns anyway - to me it feels like the designer decided not to bother and let the knitter do half the pattern writing for them!

    And a book with no chapters, I think that would drive me mad... As does a book I read recently where each chapter was no more than 2 or 3 pages. It felt very insubstantial.

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  2. Love your analogy. So, so true. I have been 'knitting' a cardigan for months that has about four different cable patterns and the instructions are so detailed, I practically need a spreadsheet to work out where I'm up to. No wonder it's not finished after...five years???? There's something to be said for a pattern written for the 'non-professional'.

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  3. I always have to think hard when I have to reverse the pattern. That is why I am attracted to top down construction....less thinking for me!! Lovely yarn!

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  4. Lovely colour yarn, must make it all worthwhile! Good description though ;) x

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  5. Why do Rowan patterns always do that????? I owned a yarn shop for awhile, and you wouldn't believe the mess people can get into "reversing" the directions!!! Believe me, you are NOT ALONE in finding this very very confusing. (For me, too!!! I'm so not left brained--and to me, that is a very left brained maneuveur.)
    Sounds like you licked it--happy dance!

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  6. what a great analogy! you made me smile. it does make me feel even more accomplished as a knitter now to be liked to a circus act. have you tried any of kelly brooker's patterns? designer of the puerperium? she designes most of her jumpers in the round and from the top down and there's so much less to think about - not sure which circus act to liken it to - maybe just a side act jumping on the trampoline. i pull my puerperium out when i'm unable to focus on my lace anymore. it's pretty mindless.

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  7. Love the way you put it, circus act is my daily life lol. Havent gotten to anything that I have to reverse the pattern on and doubt I could figure it out : ) Thanks for sharing.

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  8. so funny and true. i'm not a fan of reverse either. i want to do more knitting and less figuring. yay for finishing.

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  9. Very funny - well done on your accomplished performance. I would struggle without chapters too - I always like to finish at the end of one.
    I am sure I could island hop down to tiree for a knit n natter. xx

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  10. Love the red yarn, loys of red going on here too. I've been knitting many, many years and still I tremble at that phrase "work as right side, reversing shaping". In fact I feel pretty pleased if UI manage it with less than two rip backs!!
    Great analogy too :)

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  11. I dont know what you're talking about but it's fascinating!

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  12. Don't worry Dom, I veer dangerously close to not knowing what I'm talking about either.

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  13. Love your writing. Well done, can't wait to see the finished product!
    I make a photo book every year for our wedding anniversary, love them - I'm sure yours will turn out beautifully.

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  14. I really know absolutely nothing about knitting, but this was fun to read! love the way you write!

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  15. Such a grand analogy. Whoever said knitting is boring was crazy.

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